[Harp-L] Re: Gail's response to Elizabeth and Question for Panel

[EGS1217@xxxxxxx]

Regarding Elizabeth.  I sent a message to you directly.  I am  pleased to
see that there is another woman here.  Perhaps there are a  lot that I don't
know about.  I have not yet received my SPAH members  list .  Where I live,
it seems like all players are men....no offense to  any men.  I have a
husband and 2 sons who I am quite fond  of....GA 

Thanks  Gail!  I sent you a personal response back last night.  If you were 
at  all located close to me, which I doubt :-(    it'd be a lot  of fun to get 
together with you.  
 
I've been deluged with  mail since I signed up with an Incredimail thingie 
that tends to hide a lot  of what I consider the "important" stuff, so it took 
me a while to find your and  other Harp-L posters' emails.  Apologies. 
 
 I'm so pleased too  to note the small but ever growing band of women here 
(and some who've written  to me at home but don't post).  Maybe all the tech 
talk intimidates them a  bit -- or could it simply be all that testosterone?  
Kidding, guys!  I  kind of like it too that we're in the minority, but am 
certainly relieved to  find out I'm not a minority of one.  
 
While the technical stuff  is still sailing over my head, it's terrific to 
read and file away for future  reference, and I love the feeling that I'm 
sitting on the floor at the feet of  the "masters" in the field.   I still can't get 
over the generosity of  those who are so far advanced taking the time to 
share with obvious amateurs  like me.
 
In between  Holiday chores, I've  been looking at the websites   posted by 
many of these amazing players and feel I've learned so much in the  past few 
days.   Just last night listened to  Dennis Gruehling on  Richard Hunter's 
webpage.  Thank you, Richard!   Then Fabio Testa  from Italy -- an entirely 
different sound.  Steve Shaw's Traditional  Irish music  sounds closest to the 
Scottish tunes I played  growing up.  My brain is reeling.  I'm like a kid in a candy 
 store.  
 
A question for the panel  at large?  I'm playing a double-sided CG Hohner 
Echo Tremolo Harp - a 56/96  (24 Reed, if that's how it's described?).   The 
top/bottom cover  plates (rivets came out) fell off  so I'm actually having to 
hold it  together while I play.  Leaves the mouth a bit sore at times (I should 
own  stock in Blistex).  Guess my question is multi-fold: 1)  CAN one  
tongue-block on such an instrument?  2) Is it worth having it  re-riveted?  I bought 
another smaller Echo tremolo thinking to replace it  - a 55/80 and am terribly 
disappointed.  The sound just isn't close to  the older one, so I keep going 
back to old faithful despite its flaws.  3)  Then my chromatic (Hohner 
chromonica 10 CG)which  is probably my  favorite for the way I like to play, but 
doesn't allow me to accompany  my favorite guitarist Peter White's CD's 
(Confidential & Glow his 2  latest).  I know, I know -- it's not "old-style" or "pure" 
jazz, but I like  many different genres and right now I love the clean sound of 
his guitar and the  guest saxophonists he uses. Also am into Steve Cole's 
saxophone,  Chris Botti's trumpet - you get the picture.   I'm happy to  buy 
another Chromatic (have a birthday coming up shortly so get to pick a BIG  present  
<VBG>), this time a 12 or better but don't know what  key/keys I need?  Even 
thought of getting one of those sets of 12 in  different keys (can't remember 
the name but the harmonica wasn't Hohner and  was in a black finish with an 
easier dismantling system but have to find the  info again).   So will listen to 
any and all advice.